Al-Shabaab war gains momentum in Somalia

A military parade is held on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the Somalian Army in Mogadishu, Somali on April 12, 2022. PHOTO BY ABUKAR MOHAMED MUHUDIN/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The war against Al-Shabaab has gained momentum in Somalia, with the Somali National Army [SNA] running riot in central and southern parts of the country, even before the second phase of operations against the group officially kicks off in the Horn of Africa nation.

For the last 10 months, the national army with assistance from the US Africa Command, African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and local militia, has managed to liberate several strategic towns, leading to reinstatement of civilian administration in most of these regions.

On Saturday, Al-Shabaab terrorists' hideouts were destroyed by the National Armed Forces, with the operation taking place in the forest between the Barak-Sheik Amir and Hussein-Agey locations in the Galgadud region. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Galmadug last week, where he called for collective responsibility in the fight against the militants.

In central regions, the military is doing combing following a successful operation during the first phase which left over 3,000 militants dead. The first phase also left over 3,500 militants critically injured according to the data given by the Ministry of Information.

State media reports that five Al-Shabaab militants were killed during operations conducted by the Somali National Army in the Gariley and Ali-Yabaal areas of the Galgadud region on Saturday. The operation also cleared militants hiding in the Jir-jir Hirey forest, Gen. Abdullahi Ali Anod, Somalia Defence Ministry spokesman, said.

The Chief of Defence Forces of Somalia, Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh Muhiyidin, met with troops stationed in the Adan-Yabal district of the Middle Shabelle region on Saturday. During his visit, state media noted, he received a security briefing from military officers on the ground and encouraged the troops to continue their fight against Al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab militants pose a threat to regional integration besides threatening security in the East Africa region, the US Africa Command has repeatedly noted. Al-Shabaab group has suffered immense losses in recent months following coordinated operations against them across the country.

GAROWE ONLINE